A/N: Well, I was just thinking about how all the characters seem perfect in the manga/anime, but how they would look like realistically. And also, I wanted to see who they would become when they became mortalised. So, here it is! I might make this a multi-chapter fic, might not. Depends on how I feel. And, of course, reviews! So far I'm leaning into the 'not' direction, so please, tell me if you think this is worth continuing. Thankies:D
Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine. However, this fic is. As is my descriptions. Well, I think.
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From far away, she looks perfect.
A beautiful figure in purple, the water's reflection patterning her thin silk kimono. She's looking out, across the railing and up into the sinking sun. The red and gold hues of the summer sky throw her profile into a soft definition, and as she closed her eyes, the very air around her seems to shimmer with her loveliness. She was the epitome of perfection. I stand there, watching you gaze at the setting sun. For eternity, it seems. I stand motionless, as the sky turns from red to pink, from pink to purple, then finally dissipating into a deep, sapphire blue. Twinkling stars emerge shyly, and now the river is decorated by a silver moonlight, waters gently lapping at the shore, while your complexion seemingly glows.
The perfect scene.
I don't want to go and enter, knowing that when I do, the image will be ruined. She will shout at me for being late, and I will try to explain that I had to go to Tsunade and be briefed for my team's next mission.
Inwardly sighing, I brace myself for the enslaught, and was about to step out of the shadows when I hear a sniffle. Freezing, I look up to see you rubbing your nose with the back of your hand. I quickly tune my hearing into your muttering.
"I knew it. How could you be so stupid, you knew it, and she was trying to prepare you for it, but no, you would never listen to her, even though she's your best friend and has got herself a steady boyfriend who worships the ground she walks on, but no, you go and stand out on a stupid bridge for 3 hours, waiting for him. Stupid, stupid, stupid…"
She scuffs her feet against the planks, to hide the evidence of her tears.
"I should've known he'd stand me up. After all, why would he bother to come, when for so long I've just been a bitch, and who could blame him, honestly? I mean, I wasn't even exactly the world's best friend."
You subconsciously twirl a strand of your blonde hair, which I notice has glitter in it, while sniffling pathetically.
"No, get a grip on yourself woman! Does it matter if he stands you up? You don't need a date to enjoy the festival! Being single is actually the better option, I mean, you can get so many more guys! And…and…"
You clutch your head, gritting your teeth with annoyance.
"Oh, who are you trying to fool? You know that you would rather him here than all the other guys." You start to sob quietly again, and silently turn and grasp the railing with shaking hands.
I couldn't believe it. You were acting so…human like. I had never seen this side of you before, the side that showed insecurity and…what else? The words that you had said, they had fuelled a small fire of hope to grow in my chest. They sounded like…like you liked me.
Shaking my head, I controlled my over-active imagination. What was I thinking? But still, I couldn't believe how you seemed so…vulnerable. I always had looked at you from far away, and all I saw was a self-confident, funny, and overly romantic girl, with an obsessive crush on a certain prodigal child. Even after 18 years of knowing each other, I had never really found out who you were on the inside. And every time we got closer, it would either end with an argument or you hitting me. I pondered why we had never really grown close, until we turned 16. Perhaps it was the fact that we had both matured, or you no longer spent all your time chasing the Uchiha boy, or a combination of both. But even now, when we are quite good friends, we still don't know much about each other. I've never seen you display any emotion apart from happiness and anger. Snorting silently, I realize that most of the time we were either watching clouds, or eating. If I had to classify our relationship, it would probably be 'fair-weather friends'. But…
Pausing my train of thought, I glanced over to your slight figure. You had taken off your shoes, and sat down, feet dangling through the railing and into the water.
I frown, almost totally and utterly confused. You seem so different, even as you try to mop your eyes dry and blow your nose on a tissue. It's as if a whole new light it being shone on you, and I can't place what has changed. But really, has anything changed? I tug on my collar, my brain ticking over furiously. Perhaps now, with your unknowing confessions, the puzzle pieces are just sliding together, and before I just couldn't see the whole picture? Maybe you were always like this on the inside, and your cheerful, self-assured outside was all a façade. And the way you seduced the male population, with your wit and good looks, was your way of maintaining it? 'Stop thinking, baka, and go out there!' I shake my head and cautiously step out of the shadows.
"Ino?"
You spin around, eyes wide.
"Shikamaru? What are you doing, why, I mean," you splutter, face turning red. "WHY ARE YOU SO LATE! DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU, YOU LAZY-ASS!"
I sigh. Maybe I had been completely off target.
"Look Ino, I'm really sorry, ok? I had a briefing with Hokage-sama, and it ran overtime. Mendokuse…"
You stand up, stomping over fuming.
"How could you! First you're 3 hours late, then you act like I'M the one being troublesome!" you poke me in the chest, emphasizing your words."I. WILL. NOT. WAIT. AROUND. FOR. YOU. ALL. DAY."
I step back, my ever-present frown etching itself ever deeper into my forehead.
"Hai, hai, hai, just stop poking me alright! I said I'm sorry!"
Huffing, you turn around and stand by the railing.
'So troublesome…why do I even bother?'
"C'mon Ino, I'll buy you whatever you want. Just don't be angry, ok? It's my fault, I'm late, now come on." I said exasperatedly.
"…You better! Come on then! I really want one of those earrings they're selling!" You grab my hand and drag me off towards to bright lights and noise. "Wait, you forgot your shoes." I said, bending over to pick them up.
"Here." I said, pressing them into your hand.
"Oh…thank you!"
I roll my eyes at your forgetfulness.
"Whatever. Let's go already, the restaurants are probably all full now."
"Excuse ME, but I was on TIME, unlike SOMEONE I know!"
You hit me on the arm, and put on your shoes, with much wobbling around as you try not to slip on the polished bridge with your wet feet.
"Mendokuse…" I mutter, grabbing you around the waist as you nearly crash into the railing, before pulling you back towards me.
"You're such a klutz Ino."
You look up in indignation, but as you do, I realize how close our faces are. I can see the shadows on your cheeks from your eyelashes, and your pink lips are far too close. I can also see the blush, which spreads across your cheeks, staining them a dark pink.
Grunting, I let go and move back towards the water.
"Try not to fall off the bridge while you're at it."
Your embarrassment disappears, replaced by annoyance. "Oh shut up Shikamaru. You didn't even know how to tie your shoelaces until you were 7, genius boy."
I frown. Damn it, I hate it when you do that.
"Well, that's because I was wearing ninja sandals the whole time, wasn't I?"
Sticking out your tongue, you stalk off, seemingly indignant. But I know it's all an act.
Because I saw the way you were trying not to grin as you told me off. And how your eyes sparkled like the stars above when I passed you your sandals, and how you gasped when our fingers brushed. And how when I caught you, you nearly laughed, and when I let go, your indignation was mixed with your giddy smile. And even though your eyes were still red from the tears, and your cheeks blotchy, you were radiating happiness. Just like me.
I guess, maybe I know you better than I thought.
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A/N: Wheeehee! This was awesome fun to write, and I really like the way I finished it. And I have decided, I'm definitely making this a multi-chapter fic, even if its only one more chapter, or two…or three XD Who knows? Well, review and tell me how you like it! 3 Okies? Cookies to all who do:D
3 Tan-chan